Before I begin, Fox and ZytheEKS, the design will be PWM as voltage change would be too advanced for my knowledge, so Fox, you still own the market there
. As for ZytheEKS, I will be selling these, and whatever hoops I have to jump through to become an Overclock Artisan... You can just say... "Here boy!" (These will most definitely be a buy-able product once I'm finished.
OK here we go lol.
I don't know how many of you know about Arduino, probably most, but it is the base of my controller. The Arduino Uno kit provides more than enough memory to perform the basic tasks. In fact only 1/3rd of the available memory (for the time being) allows me to do everything that is required for the controller, in its most basic form. In addition to the controller, I have written a program for Windows that allows for the adjustment of Temperature and TEC Power Level parameters.
Current controller abilities:
- Dew Point Proximity (Default state)
Allows the user to set a distance from dew points at which the TEC Block or measured temperature, will remain above. If the user sets 5°C as an offset, the TEC or measured temperature will aim for Dew Point + Offset. This will allow the user to define how close they wish to ride the condensation line
The symbol for this setting looks like a WiFi symbol as to relate to signal strength or proximity.
-Target Temperature
This allows the user to set a temperature for the TEC Block or measured temperature to aim for. If the user sets 25°C as the target temperature, the TEC block or the measured temperature will be 25°C or die trying... Figuratively speaking of course
The symbol for this setting looks like a Crosshair as to relate to a first person shooter and show targetting.
-TEC Power Control Level
This will allow the user to control the power level of the TEC. If the user sets the Power Level to be 25%, oh you better believe that the TEC is trying to maintain 25% of its possible power! Depending on the TEC, this could be a little bit of cooling or ALOT...
Future Controller abilities:
- TEC Curve settings based on CPU temperature. (Not sure how this will pan out as most consumers expect sub-zero temperatures on their CPU with condensation.)
- CPU temperature reading of the TEC Block or measured temperature forwarded to computer running the appropriate software.
- Manual control of controller outside of the software running in Windows. (Not sure how this will fare as it may add to the cost of production)
- Allow "firmware" updating of the Arduino to allow for potential upgrades for dew point proximity and similar features.
Now moving on to the
image. I know that it isn't necessary but I did mention that it is a jumble of wires and I wanted to prove it.
.
1) The Ardunio microprocessor. Good god this thing is amazing... Programming this thing is a dream, and after failing C++ in college and learning C# (at a much faster rate)... this thing is almost easier than C#. With all the library's available and the tutorials, it makes temperature gathering simple, mathematical functions a breeze assuming you know the basics, and I dare say, you may not even need a look up table when it comes to thermistors (assuming datasheets are available for your thermistor).
2) The LCD is pretty simple. It's a display for majority of the variables required in the Arduino, spruced up by a few custom icons. A section of the display changes based on the mode selected by the user. Originally in the LCD displayed (in reading order; left to right, next line left to right) Ambient temperature, Dew Point, Humidity, and TEC Block/Measured temperature. I replaced the Humidity portion with the variable that is selected by the user because Humidity isn't as important (in TEC appliation) as dew point, so it was deemed unnecessary. Above is described the icons that are involved in the display. Below are the actual icon depictions of the display.
Part 2 is coming, but I have pressed
Backspace twice now and 50% of my content had to be retyped... Twice... So, I'm going to submit it now, and write whatever I have to write after this post... You have no idea how pissed off I am at OCN's reply system...